Windows XP Inspired Start Menu Style
Windows XP Style Start Menu The Windows XP Style Start Menu brings back the nostalgic charm of one of Microsoft’s most beloved user interfaces. Known for its colorful layout, rounded corners, and classic two-column design, this Start Menu combines familiarity with functionality.
Windows XP Style Start Menu for Windows 11
The Windows XP Style Start Menu for Windows 11 is a retro-inspired Windhawk customization created for users who enjoy the familiar visual character of classic Windows desktop designs. It brings an XP-inspired Start Menu appearance to Windows 11 with a compact layout, classic-style navigation, recognizable color choices, and a more traditional desktop feel.
This customization is intended for visual personalization only. It does not install Windows XP, replace Windows 11, or restore the original Microsoft Windows XP Start Menu. Instead, it uses compatible Windhawk styling settings to modify supported visual elements of the existing Windows 11 Start Menu.
Features of Windows XP Style Start Menu
- Windows XP-inspired Start Menu appearance
- Classic blue and retro-style color direction
- Compact Start Menu layout
- Traditional navigation-inspired design
- Designed for Windows 11 personalization
- Applied through compatible Windhawk Start Menu styling
- Works well with retro wallpapers and classic-style icon setups
- Can be combined with matching taskbar, File Explorer, and desktop customizations
Why Choose a Windows XP-Inspired Start Menu?
The Windows XP Style Start Menu can be a good option for users who prefer a more traditional desktop appearance or enjoy creating retro-inspired Windows setups. The familiar visual direction, compact organization, and classic color palette can give the Windows 11 desktop a noticeably different personality.
It is also suitable for users building a nostalgic desktop theme with matching wallpapers, custom 7TSP icon packs, taskbar styles, and other compatible Windows customization elements. The goal is to create an XP-inspired visual experience while continuing to use Windows 11 as the underlying operating system.
Windows XP Start Menu Customization for Windows 11
This style can be paired with Windows XP-inspired wallpapers, classic-style taskbars, retro icons, and blue-themed desktop elements to create a more consistent visual setup. The exact appearance will depend on the configuration being used, your Windows build, display scaling, Windhawk version, and other active customization mods.
Download Windhawk To Use The Style
Compatibility
- Windows 11 21H2: May work, but not recommended for the best experience
- Windows 11 22H2: Yes
- Windows 11 23H2: Yes
- Windows 11 24H2: Yes
- Windows 11 25H2: Yes, it works, but test carefully after major Windows updates
Installation Steps:
- Download and install Windhawk.
- Install and open the Windows 11 Start Menu Styler mod in Windhawk.
- Go to the “Advanced” tab.
- Copy the code provided below, paste it into the text box under “Mod settings”, and click “Save”.
{ "theme": "Windows XP 2025 Edition by Link Vegas", "controlStyles[0].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#UndockedRoot", "controlStyles[0].styles[0]": "Visibility=Visible", "controlStyles[0].styles[1]": "Width=428", "controlStyles[0].styles[2]": "Transform3D:=<CompositeTransform3D TranslateX=\"178\" />", "controlStyles[0].styles[3]": "Margin=-80,-10,0,0", "controlStyles[0].styles[4]": "Padding=0,0,0,0", "controlStyles[1].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#AllAppsRoot", "controlStyles[1].styles[0]": "Visibility=Visible", "controlStyles[1].styles[1]": "Width=320", "controlStyles[1].styles[2]": "Margin=-770,-20,830,0", "controlStyles[2].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#ShowMoreSuggestions", "controlStyles[2].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[3].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#SuggestionsParentContainer", "controlStyles[3].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[4].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#TopLevelSuggestionsListHeader", "controlStyles[4].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[5].target": "StartDocked.SearchBoxToggleButton", "controlStyles[5].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[6].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#TopLevelRoot > Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Border", "controlStyles[6].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[7].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Button#CloseAllAppsButton", "controlStyles[7].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[8].target": "StartDocked.PowerOptionsView", "controlStyles[8].styles[0]": "Margin=0,0,0,0", "controlStyles[9].target": "StartDocked.UserTileView", "controlStyles[9].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[10].target": "StartMenu.PinnedList", "controlStyles[10].styles[0]": "Height=504", "controlStyles[11].target": "StartMenu.ExpandedFolderList > Grid > Border", "controlStyles[11].styles[0]": "Margin=-40,0,40,0", "controlStyles[11].styles[1]": "Width=325", "controlStyles[12].target": "StartMenu.ExpandedFolderList > Grid > Grid", "controlStyles[12].styles[0]": "CornerRadius=8", "controlStyles[12].styles[1]": "Margin=-85,0,0,0", "controlStyles[12].styles[2]": "Width=350", "controlStyles[13].target": "StartMenu.ExpandedFolderList > Grid > Grid > Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.PipsPager#PinnedListPipsPager", "controlStyles[13].styles[0]": "Margin=-15,0,0,0", "controlStyles[14].target": "StartDocked.StartSizingFrame", "controlStyles[14].styles[0]": "MaxWidth=620", "controlStyles[14].styles[1]": "MinWidth=620", "controlStyles[14].styles[2]": "MaxHeight=650", "controlStyles[15].target": "Grid#RootContent", "controlStyles[15].styles[0]": "MinWidth=620", "controlStyles[15].styles[1]": "CornerRadius=10", "controlStyles[16].target": "Border#AcrylicOverlay", "controlStyles[16].styles[0]": "Visibility=Visible", "controlStyles[17].target": "Border#ContentBorder@CommonStates > Grid#DroppedFlickerWorkaroundWrapper > Border", "controlStyles[17].styles[0]": "FocusVisualPrimaryBrush:=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#b3cefd\" Opacity=\".10\"/>", "controlStyles[17].styles[1]": "CornerRadius=4", "controlStyles[17].styles[2]": "Height=80", "controlStyles[17].styles[3]": "Width=92", "controlStyles[18].target": "StartMenu.PinnedList#StartMenuPinnedList", "controlStyles[18].styles[0]": "MaxWidth=445", "controlStyles[18].styles[1]": "Margin=42,15,0,0", "controlStyles[18].styles[2]": "Height=504", "controlStyles[19].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Border#ContentBorder@CommonStates > Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#DroppedFlickerWorkaroundWrapper > Border#BackgroundBorder", "controlStyles[19].styles[0]": "Background:=<AcrylicBrush TintColor=\"{ThemeResource SystemListLowColor}\" TintOpacity=\"0\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".25\"/>", "controlStyles[19].styles[1]": "Background@PointerOver:=<AcrylicBrush TintColor=\"{ThemeResource SystemListLowColor}\" TintOpacity=\"0\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".15\"/>", "controlStyles[20].target": "Border#AcrylicBorder", "controlStyles[20].styles[0]": "Background:=<AcrylicBrush TintColor=\"{ThemeResource CardStrokeColorDefaultSolid}\" FallbackColor=\"{ThemeResource CardStrokeColorDefaultSolid}\" TintOpacity=\"0\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".55\"/>", "controlStyles[20].styles[2]": "BorderThickness=1", "controlStyles[20].styles[3]": "CornerRadius=8", "controlStyles[20].styles[4]": "Margin=0", "controlStyles[21].target": "StartMenu.ExpandedFolderList > Grid > Grid > Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.PipsPager#PinnedListPipsPager", "controlStyles[21].styles[0]": "Margin=-15,0,0,0", "controlStyles[22].target": "Border#AcrylicOverlay", "controlStyles[22].styles[0]": "Background:=#1049a2", "controlStyles[22].styles[1]": "Width=290", "controlStyles[22].styles[2]": "Margin=-330,0,0,-65", "controlStyles[22].styles[3]": "CornerRadius=5", "controlStyles[23].target": "Border#AcrylicBorder", "controlStyles[23].styles[0]": "Background:= <AcrylicBrush BackgroundSource=\"Backdrop\" TintColor=\"{ThemeResource SystemChromeAltHighColor}\" TintOpacity=\"0\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".5\" />", "controlStyles[24].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.TextBlock#PinnedListHeaderText", "controlStyles[24].styles[0]": "Margin=20,25,0,0", "controlStyles[25].target": "TextBlock#AppDisplayName", "controlStyles[25].styles[0]": "Foreground=#ffffff", "controlStyles[26].target": "TextBlock#AllAppsHeading", "controlStyles[26].styles[0]": "Foreground:=#ffffff", "controlStyles[27].target": "TextBlock#FolderGlyph", "controlStyles[27].styles[0]": "Foreground:=#ffffff", "controlStyles[28].target": "TextBlock#StatusMessage", "controlStyles[28].styles[0]": "Foreground:=#ffffff", "controlStyles[29].target": "TextBlock#FolderGlyph", "controlStyles[29].styles[0]": "Foreground:=#ffffff", "controlStyles[30].target": "TextBlock#Text ", "controlStyles[30].styles[0]": "Foreground:=#ffffff", "controlStyles[31].target": "TextBlock#AppDisplayName", "controlStyles[31].styles[0]": "Foreground:=#ffffff", "controlStyles[32].target": "StartMenu.ExpandedFolderList > Grid > Border", "controlStyles[32].styles[0]": "Background=#34294f", "controlStyles[33].target": "TextBlock#DisplayName", "controlStyles[33].styles[0]": "Foreground:=#ffffff", "controlStyles[34].target": "StartDocked.LauncherFrame > Grid#RootGrid > Grid#RootContent > Grid#MainContent > Grid#InnerContent > Rectangle", "controlStyles[34].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[9].styles[1]": "Visibility=Visible", "controlStyles[9].styles[2]": "Transform3D:=<CompositeTransform3D TranslateX=\"350\" TranslateY=\"-580\" />", "controlStyles[35].target": "TextBlock#PinnedListHeaderText", "controlStyles[35].styles[0]": "Text=Windows XP", "controlStyles[35].styles[1]": "FontSize=13", "controlStyles[35].styles[2]": "Opacity=.75", "controlStyles[35].styles[3]": "FontWeight=600", "controlStyles[35].styles[4]": "Transform3D:=<CompositeTransform3D TranslateX=\"0\" TranslateY=\"-20\" />", "controlStyles[36].target": "TextBlock#AllAppsHeading", "controlStyles[36].styles[0]": "Text=All Apps", "controlStyles[37].target": "StartDocked.AppListView#NavigationPanePlacesListView", "controlStyles[37].styles[0]": "Transform3D:=<CompositeTransform3D TranslateX=\"0\"/>", "controlStyles[38].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.TextBlock[Text=]", "controlStyles[38].styles[0]": "Text= Power", "controlStyles[38].styles[1]": "FontFamily=Segoe UI, Segoe MDL2 Assets", "controlStyles[38].styles[2]": "Foreground=#ffffff", "controlStyles[39].target": "StartDocked.NavigationPaneButton#PowerButton", "controlStyles[39].styles[0]": "Width=80", "controlStyles[39].styles[1]": "Margin=0,0,-25,0", "controlStyles[40].target": "StartDocked.LauncherFrame > Grid#RootPanel > Grid#RootGrid", "controlStyles[40].styles[0]": "MinWidth=620", "controlStyles[40].styles[1]": "MaxWidth=620", "controlStyles[41].target": "StartDocked.LauncherFrame > Grid#RootPanel > Grid#RootGrid > Grid#RootContent", "controlStyles[41].styles[0]": "MinWidth=620", "controlStyles[41].styles[1]": "MaxWidth=620", "disableNewStartMenuLayout": "legacyClassicLayout"}
Updated Look for Windows 11 25H2
{ "theme": "", "controlStyles[0].target": "Grid#MainMenu", "controlStyles[0].styles[0]": "Width=620", "controlStyles[0].styles[1]": "MinWidth=620", "controlStyles[0].styles[2]": "MaxWidth=620", "controlStyles[1].target": "Grid#FrameRoot", "controlStyles[1].styles[0]": "Height=650", "controlStyles[1].styles[1]": "MaxHeight=650", "controlStyles[2].target": "Grid#SideBySidePinnedWrapper", "controlStyles[2].styles[0]": "ColumnDefinitions:=<ColumnDefinitionCollection><ColumnDefinition Width=\"290*\"/><ColumnDefinition Width=\"330*\"/></ColumnDefinitionCollection>", "controlStyles[3].target": "GridView#AllAppsGrid > Border > Grid#SideBySidePinnedWrapper > ScrollViewer#ScrollViewer", "controlStyles[3].styles[0]": "Grid.Column=0", "controlStyles[3].styles[1]": "Margin=0", "controlStyles[4].target": "ScrollViewer#SideBySidePinnedScrollViewer", "controlStyles[4].styles[0]": "Grid.Column=1", "controlStyles[4].styles[1]": "Margin=0", "controlStyles[5].target": "GridView#AllAppsGrid > Border > Grid#SideBySidePinnedWrapper > ScrollViewer#ScrollViewer > Border#Root", "controlStyles[5].styles[0]": "Background:=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#1049A2\"/>", "controlStyles[5].styles[1]": "CornerRadius=6", "controlStyles[5].styles[2]": "Margin=5,5,3,5", "controlStyles[6].target": "Grid#SideBySidePinnedWrapper > ScrollViewer > Border#Root > Grid > ScrollContentPresenter > ItemsPresenter > ItemsWrapGrid", "controlStyles[6].styles[0]": "Margin=15,0,15,14", "controlStyles[7].target": "GridView#AllAppsGrid", "controlStyles[7].styles[0]": "Margin=0,0,0,58", "controlStyles[8].target": "Grid#AllListHeading", "controlStyles[8].styles[0]": "Margin=0,4,0,0", "controlStyles[9].target": "Grid#AllListHeading > TextBlock#AllListHeadingText", "controlStyles[9].styles[0]": "Text=All Apps", "controlStyles[9].styles[1]": "Foreground=#FFFFFF", "controlStyles[9].styles[2]": "FontWeight=600", "controlStyles[9].styles[3]": "FontSize=14", "controlStyles[9].styles[4]": "Margin=24,6,8,7", "controlStyles[10].target": "Grid#AllListHeading > Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.DropDownButton#ViewSelectionButton", "controlStyles[10].styles[0]": "Margin=0,0,14,0", "controlStyles[11].target": "GridView#AllAppsGrid TextBlock#AppDisplayName", "controlStyles[11].styles[0]": "Foreground=#FFFFFF", "controlStyles[12].target": "GridView#AllAppsGrid TextBlock#DisplayName", "controlStyles[12].styles[0]": "Foreground=#FFFFFF", "controlStyles[13].target": "GridView#AllAppsGrid TextBlock#FolderGlyph", "controlStyles[13].styles[0]": "Foreground=#FFFFFF", "controlStyles[14].target": "StartMenu.PinnedList#StartMenuPinnedList", "controlStyles[14].styles[0]": "Width=320", "controlStyles[14].styles[1]": "MaxWidth=320", "controlStyles[14].styles[2]": "Height=500", "controlStyles[14].styles[3]": "MaxHeight=500", "controlStyles[14].styles[4]": "Margin=5,15,5,0", "controlStyles[15].target": "TextBlock#PinnedListHeaderText", "controlStyles[15].styles[0]": "Text=Windows XP", "controlStyles[15].styles[1]": "FontSize=13", "controlStyles[15].styles[2]": "FontWeight=600", "controlStyles[15].styles[3]": "Opacity=.85", "controlStyles[15].styles[4]": "Margin=18,5,0,0", "controlStyles[16].target": "Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.PipsPager#PinnedListPipsPager", "controlStyles[16].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[17].target": "Grid#TopLevelSuggestionsListHeader", "controlStyles[17].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[17].styles[1]": "Height=0", "controlStyles[18].target": "Grid#TopLevelSuggestionsRoot", "controlStyles[18].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[18].styles[1]": "Height=0", "controlStyles[18].styles[2]": "MaxHeight=0", "controlStyles[19].target": "Grid#TopLevelSuggestionsContainer", "controlStyles[19].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[19].styles[1]": "Height=0", "controlStyles[20].target": "GridView#RecommendedList", "controlStyles[20].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[20].styles[1]": "Height=0", "controlStyles[21].target": "Grid#ShowMoreSuggestions", "controlStyles[21].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[21].styles[1]": "Height=0", "controlStyles[22].target": "Grid#MoreSuggestionsRoot", "controlStyles[22].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[22].styles[1]": "Height=0", "controlStyles[23].target": "StartMenu.SearchBoxToggleButton", "controlStyles[23].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[23].styles[1]": "Height=0", "controlStyles[23].styles[2]": "Width=0", "controlStyles[24].target": "Border#AcrylicBorder", "controlStyles[24].styles[0]": "Background:=<AcrylicBrush BackgroundSource=\"Backdrop\" TintColor=\"{ThemeResource SystemChromeAltHighColor}\" TintOpacity=\"0\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".50\"/>", "controlStyles[24].styles[1]": "BorderBrush:=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#4B7FD0\"/>", "controlStyles[24].styles[2]": "BorderThickness=1", "controlStyles[24].styles[3]": "CornerRadius=8", "controlStyles[24].styles[4]": "Margin=0", "controlStyles[25].target": "Border#AcrylicOverlay", "controlStyles[25].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[26].target": "Border#DropShadow", "controlStyles[26].styles[0]": "CornerRadius=8", "controlStyles[26].styles[1]": "Margin=0", "controlStyles[27].target": "Border#StartDropShadow", "controlStyles[27].styles[0]": "CornerRadius=8", "controlStyles[28].target": "StartMenu.PinnedList#StartMenuPinnedList Border#ContentBorder@CommonStates > Grid#DroppedFlickerWorkaroundWrapper > Border", "controlStyles[28].styles[0]": "FocusVisualPrimaryBrush:=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#B3CEFD\" Opacity=\".10\"/>", "controlStyles[28].styles[1]": "CornerRadius=4", "controlStyles[28].styles[2]": "Height=80", "controlStyles[28].styles[3]": "Width=92", "controlStyles[29].target": "StartMenu.PinnedList#StartMenuPinnedList Border#ContentBorder@CommonStates > Grid#DroppedFlickerWorkaroundWrapper > Border#BackgroundBorder", "controlStyles[29].styles[0]": "Background@Normal:=<AcrylicBrush TintColor=\"{ThemeResource SystemListLowColor}\" TintOpacity=\"0\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".25\"/>", "controlStyles[29].styles[1]": "Background@PointerOver:=<AcrylicBrush TintColor=\"{ThemeResource SystemListLowColor}\" TintOpacity=\"0\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\".15\"/>", "controlStyles[29].styles[2]": "BorderThickness=1", "controlStyles[29].styles[3]": "CornerRadius=4", "controlStyles[30].target": "StartMenu.ExpandedFolderList > Grid > Border", "controlStyles[30].styles[0]": "Background=#34294F", "controlStyles[30].styles[1]": "Width=300", "controlStyles[30].styles[2]": "Margin=0", "controlStyles[31].target": "StartMenu.ExpandedFolderList > Grid > Grid", "controlStyles[31].styles[0]": "CornerRadius=8", "controlStyles[31].styles[1]": "Width=300", "controlStyles[31].styles[2]": "Margin=0", "controlStyles[32].target": "StartMenu.ExpandedFolderList > Grid > Grid > Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.PipsPager#PinnedListPipsPager", "controlStyles[32].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[33].target": "Grid#NavPanePlaceholder", "controlStyles[33].styles[0]": "Margin=18,0,18,0", "controlStyles[34].target": "StartDocked.NavigationPaneView#UserControl > Grid#RootPanel", "controlStyles[34].styles[0]": "FlowDirection=1", "controlStyles[35].target": "StartDocked.PowerOptionsView#PowerButton", "controlStyles[35].styles[0]": "FlowDirection=0", "controlStyles[36].target": "ItemsStackPanel > ListViewItem", "controlStyles[36].styles[0]": "FlowDirection=0", "controlStyles[37].target": "StartDocked.AppListView#NavigationPanePlacesListView > Border", "controlStyles[37].styles[0]": "Background:=<AcrylicBrush TintColor=\"#1049A2\" TintOpacity=\".22\" FallbackColor=\"#1049A2\"/>", "controlStyles[37].styles[1]": "BorderBrush:=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#4B7FD0\"/>", "controlStyles[37].styles[2]": "BorderThickness=1", "controlStyles[37].styles[3]": "CornerRadius=5", "controlStyles[38].target": "StartDocked.UserTileView", "controlStyles[38].styles[0]": "Visibility=Visible", "controlStyles[38].styles[1]": "Height=42", "controlStyles[39].target": "Grid#UserTileIcon", "controlStyles[39].styles[0]": "Width=38", "controlStyles[39].styles[1]": "Height=38", "controlStyles[40].target": "StartDocked.NavigationPaneButton#UserTileButton > Grid@CommonStates > Border", "controlStyles[40].styles[0]": "Background:=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#1049A2\"/>", "controlStyles[40].styles[1]": "BorderBrush:=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#4B7FD0\"/>", "controlStyles[40].styles[2]": "BorderThickness=1", "controlStyles[40].styles[3]": "CornerRadius=8", "controlStyles[41].target": "StartDocked.NavigationPaneButton#PowerButton", "controlStyles[41].styles[0]": "Width=80", "controlStyles[42].target": "StartDocked.NavigationPaneButton#PowerButton > Grid@CommonStates > Border#BackgroundBorder", "controlStyles[42].styles[0]": "Background@Normal:=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#1049A2\"/>", "controlStyles[42].styles[1]": "Background@PointerOver:=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#2C69C7\"/>", "controlStyles[42].styles[2]": "BorderBrush@Normal:=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#4B7FD0\"/>", "controlStyles[42].styles[3]": "BorderBrush@PointerOver:=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#80B4FF\"/>", "controlStyles[42].styles[4]": "BorderThickness=1", "controlStyles[42].styles[5]": "CornerRadius=8", "controlStyles[43].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Primitives.ToggleButton#ShowHideCompanion", "controlStyles[43].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[44].target": "Grid#CompanionRoot", "controlStyles[44].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[45].target": "Grid#RightCompanionContainerGrid", "controlStyles[45].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "disableNewStartMenuLayout": "newLayoutSideBySide"}How to Install the Windows XP Taskbar Style
- Download and install Windhawk if it is not already installed.
- Open Windhawk and install the Windows 11 Taskbar Styler mod.
- Open the Taskbar Styler mod and go to the Advanced tab.
- Back up your current Taskbar Styler configuration before replacing it.
- Copy the complete Taskbar JSON configuration provided below.
- Paste the code into the text box under Mod settings.
- Click Save to apply the Windows XP-inspired taskbar style.
The taskbar configuration is separate from the Start Menu code. Make sure you paste it into the Windows 11 Taskbar Styler mod, not the Start Menu Styler.
{ "controlStyles[0].target": "Rectangle#BackgroundStroke", "controlStyles[0].styles[0]": "Fill:=<LinearGradientBrush StartPoint=\"0.5,0\" EndPoint=\"0.5,1\"> <GradientStop Color=\"#3168d5\" Offset=\"0.0\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#4993E6\" Offset=\"0.1\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#2157D7\" Offset=\"0.35\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#2663E0\" Offset=\"0.8\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#1941A5\" Offset=\"1.0\" /></LinearGradientBrush>", "controlStyles[0].styles[1]": "VerticalAlignment=Stretch", "controlStyles[0].styles[2]": "Height=Auto", "controlStyles[1].target": "Taskbar.TaskbarBackground#HoverFlyoutBackgroundControl > Grid > Rectangle#BackgroundFill", "controlStyles[1].styles[0]": "Fill:=<LinearGradientBrush StartPoint=\"0.5,0\" EndPoint=\"0.5,1\"> <GradientStop Color=\"#3168d5\" Offset=\"0.0\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#4993E6\" Offset=\"0.1\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#2157D7\" Offset=\"0.35\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#2663E0\" Offset=\"0.8\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#1941A5\" Offset=\"1.0\" /></LinearGradientBrush>", "controlStyles[2].target": "Taskbar.ExperienceToggleButton#LaunchListButton[AutomationProperties.AutomationId=StartButton]", "controlStyles[2].styles[0]": "CornerRadius=0", "controlStyles[2].styles[1]": "Margin=0,0,4,0", "controlStyles[2].styles[2]": "MaxWidth=48", "controlStyles[3].target": "Taskbar.ExperienceToggleButton#LaunchListButton[AutomationProperties.AutomationId=StartButton] > Taskbar.TaskListButtonPanel", "controlStyles[3].styles[0]": "Padding=0", "controlStyles[3].styles[1]": "Background:=<LinearGradientBrush StartPoint=\"0.5,0\" EndPoint=\"0.5,1\"> <GradientStop Color=\"#388238\" Offset=\"0.0\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#71B571\" Offset=\"0.1\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#71B571\" Offset=\"0.35\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#47AA47\" Offset=\"0.8\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#307443\" Offset=\"1.0\" /></LinearGradientBrush>", "controlStyles[3].styles[2]": "MaxWidth=48", "controlStyles[4].target": "Taskbar.ExperienceToggleButton#LaunchListButton[AutomationProperties.AutomationId=StartButton] > Taskbar.TaskListButtonPanel > Border#BackgroundElement", "controlStyles[4].styles[0]": "Background:=<ImageBrush Stretch=\"None\" ImageSource=\"https://i.imgur.com/BvXJlkj.png\" />", "controlStyles[5].target": "Taskbar.ExperienceToggleButton#LaunchListButton[AutomationProperties.AutomationId=StartButton] > Taskbar.TaskListButtonPanel > Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.AnimatedVisualPlayer#Icon", "controlStyles[5].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[6].target": "TextBlock#LabelControl", "controlStyles[6].styles[0]": "Foreground=White", "controlStyles[7].target": "Rectangle#RunningIndicator", "controlStyles[7].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[8].target": "TextBlock#TimeInnerTextBlock", "controlStyles[8].styles[0]": "Foreground=White", "controlStyles[9].target": "TextBlock#DateInnerTextBlock", "controlStyles[9].styles[0]": "Foreground=White", "controlStyles[10].target": "SystemTray.TextIconContent > Grid > SystemTray.AdaptiveTextBlock#Base > TextBlock", "controlStyles[10].styles[0]": "Foreground=White", "controlStyles[11].target": "Taskbar.TaskListLabeledButtonPanel@RunningIndicatorStates > Border#BackgroundElement", "controlStyles[11].styles[0]": "Background@NoRunningIndicator=Transparent", "controlStyles[11].styles[1]": "Background@ActiveRunningIndicator:=<LinearGradientBrush StartPoint=\"0.5,0\" EndPoint=\"0.5,1\"> <GradientStop Color=\"#1B67D7\" Offset=\"0.0\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#1542A8\" Offset=\"0.1\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#1951BA\" Offset=\"0.15\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#1951BA\" Offset=\"0.95\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#1542A8\" Offset=\"1.0\" /></LinearGradientBrush>", "controlStyles[11].styles[2]": "Background:=<LinearGradientBrush StartPoint=\"0.5,0\" EndPoint=\"0.5,1\"> <GradientStop Color=\"#3358B5\" Offset=\"0.0\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#8AC4FD\" Offset=\"0.1\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#56A3FF\" Offset=\"0.2\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#56A3FF\" Offset=\"0.85\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#378DF6\" Offset=\"0.9\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#163E95\" Offset=\"1.0\" /></LinearGradientBrush>", "controlStyles[11].styles[3]": "BorderThickness@ActiveRunningIndicator=1", "controlStyles[11].styles[4]": "BorderBrush@NoRunningIndicator=Transparent", "controlStyles[11].styles[5]": "BorderBrush@ActiveRunningIndicator=#1B67D7", "controlStyles[11].styles[6]": "BorderBrush=#3358B5", "controlStyles[12].target": "Taskbar.TaskListButton", "controlStyles[12].styles[0]": "Margin=-1.5", "controlStyles[13].target": "Grid#SystemTrayFrameGrid", "controlStyles[13].styles[0]": "Background:=<LinearGradientBrush StartPoint=\"0.5,0\" EndPoint=\"0.5,1\"> <GradientStop Color=\"#16ADF0\" Offset=\"0.0\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#19B9F3\" Offset=\"0.1\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#118FE9\" Offset=\"0.35\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#0E9EF0\" Offset=\"0.8\" /> <GradientStop Color=\"#1580D9\" Offset=\"1.0\" /></LinearGradientBrush>", "controlStyles[13].styles[1]": "BorderThickness=1,1,0,1", "controlStyles[13].styles[2]": "BorderBrush=#095BC9", "controlStyles[13].styles[3]": "Padding=4,0,0,0", "controlStyles[14].target": "Grid#OverflowRootGrid > Border", "controlStyles[15].target": "Grid#SystemTrayFrameGrid", "controlStyles[15].styles[0]": "Background:=<AcrylicBrush TintColor=\"{ThemeResource SystemChromeHighColor}\" TintOpacity=\"0.1\" FallbackColor=\"{ThemeResource SystemChromeLowColor}\" />", "controlStyles[15].styles[1]": "Margin=70,0,8,1", "controlStyles[15].styles[2]": "CornerRadius=8", "controlStyles[15].styles[3]": "Padding=0", "controlStyles[16].target": "SystemTray.AdaptiveTextBlock > TextBlock", "controlStyles[16].styles[0]": "Foreground=#ffffff", "controlStyles[17].target": "TextBlock#DateInnerTextBlock", "controlStyles[17].styles[0]": "Foreground=#ffffff", "controlStyles[18].target": "TextBlock#TimeInnerTextBlock", "controlStyles[18].styles[0]": "Foreground=#ffffff", "controlStyles[19].target": "Taskbar.ExperienceToggleButton#LaunchListButton[AutomationProperties.AutomationId=StartButton] > Taskbar.TaskListButtonPanel > Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.AnimatedVisualPlayer#Icon", "controlStyles[19].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[20].target": "Taskbar.ExperienceToggleButton#LaunchListButton[AutomationProperties.AutomationId=StartButton] > Taskbar.TaskListButtonPanel > Border#BackgroundElement", "controlStyles[20].styles[0]": "Background:=<ImageBrush Stretch=\"none\" ImageSource=\"https://i.imgur.com//8GmvrJR.png\" />"}How to Apply Taskbar Height & Icon Size
- Open Windhawk and install or open the taskbar height and icon size mod.
- Go to the mod’s Advanced settings.
- Copy the Height & Icon Size JSON configuration provided below.
- Paste it into the appropriate Mod settings field.
- Click Save to apply the taskbar size settings.
{ "IconSize": 22, "TaskbarHeight": 56, "TaskbarButtonWidth": 48}Compatibility Notes
Compatibility can vary between Windows 11 builds because Microsoft may change Start Menu interface elements through updates. A configuration that works correctly on one system may need adjustments after a major Windows update or when a redesigned Start Menu layout is introduced.
For the most reliable result, use a version of Windhawk and the Start Menu Styler mod that supports your current Windows setup, and avoid running multiple Start Menu customization tools that modify the same interface elements at the same time.
Disclaimer
This Windows XP Style Start Menu is an unofficial third-party customization for Windows 11. It is not affiliated with or supported by Microsoft. Compatibility may vary depending on your Windows build, Windhawk version, and future Windows updates. Back up your current configuration before applying the style.
Final Words
The Windows XP Style Start Menu for Windows 11 offers a simple way to give your desktop a more classic and nostalgic appearance. Its XP-inspired colors, compact layout, and traditional visual direction can work well for users who enjoy retro Windows customization while continuing to use Windows 11.
For a more complete setup, combine the Start Menu style with matching wallpapers, icons, and taskbar customization. Since Windows updates can affect third-party UI styling, keep your configuration backed up and review compatibility after major system updates.
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Disclaimer: All themes, visual styles, and concepts shared on this website are unofficial, fan-made creations built from imagination for customization purposes. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Microsoft or any other official brand.